People Before Profit Sperrin representative Carol Gallagher
Said Ms Gallagher: “As the only woman candidate standing for election in the Sperrin DEA, recent news that only one third of all candidates in the upcoming local council elections are women does not surprise me.
“It’s a timely reminder of the continuing bias that women face in so many aspects of life.
“A higher percentage of women are unemployed, in precarious or low-paid work and take on a far greater burden of household and childcare duties, making them more susceptible to the negative impacts of the cost-of-living crisis and financial hardship.
“And women are hugely under-represented in local politics here.
“In the previous two elections for the Sperrin DEA to Derry City & Strabane District Council (2014 & 2019), only four out of 27 candidates were women and only three of the available 14 seats have been held by women.
“The 2019 election saw 13 women (out 40 seats) elected to Derry City & Strabane Council.
“In the course of that council five women were replaced by male councillors. At the close of that council term in April 2023, there were only 10 women.
“People Before Profit’s Eamonn McCann was replaced by Maeve O’Neill in the Moor DEA.
“With 50% of the population being female, we need our elected reps to be representative of the area, but this is not being reflected at our local council.
“People Before Profit are leading the way with 50% of its’ #LE23 candidates being women.
“If elected, I pledge to raise and support issues of specific concern to women in Sperrin, such as period poverty, menopause support, gender violence, reproductive rights, childcare facilities and jobs that fit with family needs.
“Equity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it is a must-have,” she added.
